Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Show and Share: Bird Feeder



Three boys plus one craft loving Momma... let's see what we get into!

Birds. Our neighbors have a beautiful set up in their back yard to view birds, squirrels, rabbits. I thought that maybe it was time to add a little something for all these little critters in our yard.

I've tried the paper roll, rolled in peanut butter and then rolled in bird seed. It works but I wanted something a little different.

QUE PINTEREST!

I found these super easy bird feeders to make. The photo says it's from Sherisilver.com. However I wasn't able to find it on the her site. Thank you Sheri for the beautiful bird feeder idea!



What you'll need:
Orange
Twine
Screw driver
Bird feed

What ya do:
1. Cut orange in half.
2. Scoop out orange... snack while you craft!
3. Poke four holes into the sides of the Orange with a screwdriver.
4. Take two pieces of moderately long twine and slip them through the holes. One piece should go through two holes.
5.  Tie both ends into a knot.
6. Hang your feeder up outside and add feed!

Watch and enjoy! 

One thing I did read is that if you put up feeders during the spring and are consistent with putting out food, birds will scout this out and remember to come to the feeder in the winter.

Draw the first bird that comes to your new feeder!!! 





Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Two for Twosday

Two for Twosday: two thoughts/ updates/ photos/ something that I don't want to forget or am flat out uber excited about.

1. Winter parties are in full swing for our family. We are so blessed to have so many family and friends to celebrate with.

2. Candy Cane Course 5K, it was cold but I did it.


Monday, December 16, 2013

{this moment}

{this moment} -  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Tuscan Rose

Tuscan Rose
By: Belinda Alexandra
FOUR out of FIVE stars




my thoughts:
A baby is anonymously delivered to a convent with a tiny key the only clue to her identity. These are just the beginnings of the mysteries that surround young Rosa Bellocchi. As Rosa grows, she realizes that she psychically senses the origins of things. She touches a piece of furniture and is transported to a hard wood jungle. Or she eats a piece of bread and feels the sun and the wind on the wheat. Or...she senses the pain and fear of the chinchilla's used to make a fur coat. You can imagine what she goes through when she tries to eat meat.

This is just where it begins. Really a great read.

the run down:
A mysterious stranger known as 'The Wolf' leaves an infant with the sisters of Santo Spirito. A tiny silver key hidden in her wrappings is the only clue to the child's identity and so begins a story as intriguing and beautiful as the city of Florence itself. Belinda Alexandra's new novel, TUSCAN ROSE, is set in Italy during the time of Mussolini. This richly woven tale of passion, love, longing, witchcraft and magic promises to be everything her readers love and more.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Show and Share

Three boys plus one craft loving Momma... let's see what we get into!

Nativity scene! We were given a beautiful nativity scene years ago. Between the move and the year since Christmas we haven't found ours yet. It really really makes me sad. That's problem number one. The other problem is it's a beautiful glass nativity set. I want the boys to be able to touch and see and learn from a nativity scene. It's the real reason behind this season and they have snowmen and Santa toys that they play with... so why not a nativity set.

I did some digging and I found a couple great activities.

123 Busy Bees, has a nativity set made out of printed sheets and paper towel rolls.

Joyfully Weary, shows how to make silhouette nativity with paints.

A O K Corral , made a gingerbread nativity.

Heritage Makers, made a nativity block set.

Blessed Beyond a Doubt, has free printable nativity puppets.

Love love all these ideas!

I'm still looking for a fabric pattern to make a stuffed nativity scene. Let me know if you find one!


Merry Christmas!!!


December's Ten on Ten

One photo, ten hours, on the tenth. Find out more at a bit of sunshine!!! Then join in on the ten on ten photo project.












Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Two for Twosday

Two for Twosday: two thoughts/ updates/ photos/ something that I don't want to forget or am flat out uber excited about.

1. Fire station visit! The boys got to go visit the local fire station with their Cub Scouts. They had a blast!!! So proud of our little cubs. They had their first pack meeting, it was so fun to be there and see the smiles on their faces from all the work that they've put into their work.

2. SNOW! We have had a few days of snow out this way. I even got to run my a 5K in the snow! It was 19 degrees out, five layers of clothing and snow! It was a blast!


Monday, December 9, 2013

{this moment}

{this moment} -  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Reflect

I'm joining in on Lisa-Jo baker's 'Five Minute Friday'.
The rules are pretty simple. One word. Five minutes of writing. No editing.

Reflect



So many memories and thoughts come flooding in when I hear the word reflect. Then I think deeper, to reflect on one moment, one memory, one thought, one emotion.

I type this all in front of our Christmas tree. In our home.

How did I get here?

I reflect on that so often sometimes. I'll be honest, sometimes I reflect on that question and I get mad. I get mad at my decisions my choices. Then I see the blessings, not on purpose. It's like a little part of me shows myself the gifts that all the winding roads have given me. I reflect on all my life obstacles, the choices that I made from them. No, they weren't all right but that's okay. What's done is done.

The beauty in the ugliness. That's what I see.

Yes.

I sit here in front of a Christmas tree that means nothing to the holiday that it is supposed to represent. A holiday that is for a King. A holiday that is to reflect the love, the kindness, the beauty in ugliness.

This tree. It has ornaments from so many years. It shows so many firsts, babies, house, marriage, dogs. It stands glowing with fresh memories. So many memories.


 

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Show and Share

Three boys plus one craft loving Momma... let's see what we get into!

Christmas countdown! If you haven't gotten an advent calendar there is still time to make one!

The best and simplest one that I love to make is the chain countdown. Rian's school made one with him this year and it is absolutely adorable!


Basically it's just strips of paper looped through one another. Each night you tear one off, when you get to the last loop it's Christmas eve! On the back of the bell they have this poem...



My Mom bought us this beautiful advent Playmobil set. Each day the boys open a door and there is a little something that they have to set up for the magical forest.



Here's to the Christmas countdown!!!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Two for Twosday

Two for Twosday: two thoughts/ updates/ photos/ something that I don't want to forget or am flat out uber excited about.

1. Thanksgiving happened! It was a blast! We haven't spent Thanksgiving together in so many years. We celebrated the day to it's fullest! With Momma here we tried a few new recipes out on Thanksgiving and they all turned out fabulously!


We found the sparkling apple cider sangria recipe on Pinterest and HAD to try it. This recipe comes from Lemon Tree Dwelling.

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

1 bottle chilled sparkling wine
1/2 c. apple cider
1/2 c. brandy
1/4 c. simple syrup
4 cinnamon sticks
2 apples thinly sliced

Combine all ingredients in large pitcher.


2. St. Frosty has made his appearance for the 2013 Christmas season.




Monday, December 2, 2013

Samual

Samual : Eight Years : Twenty Questions



1. What is your favorite color? 
Orange
2. What is your favorite toy? 
My bike
3. What is your favorite fruit? 
Watermelon
4. What is your favorite TV show? 
Spongebob
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? 
Tacos
6. What is your favorite outfit? 
Collard long sleeve shirt with tie
7. What is your favorite game? 
Candy Land
8. What is your favorite snack? 
Sunflower seeds
9. What is your favorite animal? 
Tigers
10. What is your favorite song? 
You are my sunshine
11. What is your favorite book? 
Captain Underpants
12. Who is your best friend?
Louis and Rian and Lilly and Cooper
13. What is your favorite cereal?
ALL OF THEM
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? 
Run
15. What is your favorite drink? 
Eggnog
16. What is your favorite holiday? 
New Years
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 
Dino, Tiggy, Lizard and Patrick
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? 
Goodscents
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? 
Fireman

Eight years ago, you were born. We have been absolutely blessed every day of every moment. Love you to the moon and back, infinity and beyond, forever and ever.

Momma, Dad, Lou and Rian

November's photo a day

No rules. Just a prompt and a camera. Check out Chantelle's photo a day challenge.



1. Fruit
2. I did this today
3.P is for…
4. Table
5. I collect…
6. Music
7. Yes!
8. Someone I miss
9. Mine
10. Book
11. A memory
12. Clouds
13. Part of me
14. Eating
15. In my pocket/purse
16. Hair
17. 5 o’clock
18. Mirror
19. Where you ate breakfast
20. Communication
21. I wish I had this
22. Behind
23. Simplicity
24. A word
25. Quirky
26. Message
27. No!
28. I am grateful for…
29. Black
30. All done
 
























I can't add for some crazy reason number 23. Simplicity.
Oh technology!